We wrapped up the class by practicing what we learned : we joined others at PATH ( People Assisting The Homeless ) and practiced our fruit-chopping , our sausage-frying , and our pancake-flipping . It was such a joy to relax with those we served and to hear thanks for our time and food – which seemed like such a tiny gift in light of their challenges .
Everyone came to the group with an open heart , even when we arrived with our own ideas . We were there to learn , and we left with our spirits sated .
Jan Gonder is a retired high-school teacher of English , ESL , and French . She has been a member of Westwood UMC since 1982 .
Another Spiritual Practices class is planned for four Tuesday evenings this summer : August 6 , 13 , 20 & 27 . To learn more , contact the church office .
the psALM of LAMent By Nancy S . Price
Help me , O God , For my future is gone . Darkness clouds my vision ; Fear grows in my heart ; Doubt overwhelms my thoughts .
The steep path narrows , winding sharply . I stumble over sharp rocks , Brambles assail my skin ; Boulders obstruct my sight . I cannot find my way .
But you , O God , are with me always . Your angels strengthen me on my journey And protect me from loneliness . You direct my steps in the dark ; And guide those whose skills will restore me .
I will praise You , O God . I will sing to you in the dark times And praise you in the light , For you do not forsake me . You answer my prayers .
ThE organ : an aPPrEciaTion by Gregory Norton
11
Some years ago I was invited to introduce a panel discussion among organists about the organ ’ s place in liturgy and the arts . The event took place at First Congregational Church in Los Angeles and the publicity for it posed some provocative questions : What is it that enables the organ to make such a powerful impact ? Why does it remain such an integral part of worship services , even in the face of other technologies ? In those questions one can hear several assumptions being made , and they are assumptions that I share . I believe that the organ does “ make a powerful impact ,” and that in many communities of faith today it is an “ integral part of worship .” The organ ’ s music is , for me , the sound of sacred space . I make that association because worship in which the organ plays a prominent role was a part of my earliest religious experiences . It later became ‘ my instrument ,’ and playing it has nurtured me along a path of lifelong service in the church . But not everyone has had that same experience .
It is not theologically defensible to say that God only hears organ music , or that authentic worship is impossible without it . After all , instrumental music of all kinds has been suspect at various moments in Christian history . The emergence of the organ ’ s role in worship began only about the sixteenth century or so . Certainly we can worship God without any musical instruments beyond the human voice . I believe we can also “ let every instrument be tuned for praise ,” to quote Fred Pratt Green ’ s great hymn .
The most important musical moments in any liturgy are when the assembly of believers lifts its collective voice in praise . The impulse and mandate to do so trace their roots to the first pages of scripture . Whenever it happens , community is formed as we sing together . No other instrument affords a single musician the ability to lead the singing of a large group of people as does the organ . To be sure , the organ is effectively used in a number of other ways too , but these functions are secondary . The organ ’ s connection to congregational song is at the heart of its “ powerful impact ” in the liturgy .
As a solo performance medium , the organ is the most colorful and varied instrument ever conceived . A large organ , such as the Shaffer Memorial Organ at Westwood , possesses a variety of voices and effects that exceeds even that of a large symphony orchestra . The organ ’ s palette of sounds has inspired composers for centuries , resulting in a vast repertoire of music from every era of Western art for use in the Church and beyond its walls . In Westwood we celebrate that legacy each summer by presenting the organ as a concert instrument . In doing so we showcase its life beyond supporting worship .
Nothing guarantees that the organ will have anything to do with the Church ’ s life a generation from now . But the organ has advocates – musicians who each week faithfully seek creative , meaningful ways to link the organ ’ s role in worship with the deepening faith of the people . Wherever that happens , I believe the organ ’ s music remains relevant and alive , beloved and appreciated ; the very sound of sacred space .
Gregory Norton is Westwood ’ s Minister of Music & Communications . greg @ westwoodumc . org